Instructional Design Strategies

Overview

Grade Level: 7th Grade
Subject Area: Reading
Number of Students (average): 28
Years of Teaching: 1

Description

Answer the following questions as if you were giving advice to a student teacher.

How would I introduce a discussion of my approach to instructional design?			I would introduce this instruction by starting with a purpose as to why the students will be learning this concept. Once there is a purpose, I would review the state standards and go over the objective with the students. Next, I will present an overview of the learning and provide students with an end result of what they will accomplish and learn with the instruction.
What are my resources for designing units and lessons?			My resources include my laptop which will have the software of Movie Maker and Photo Story. This will enable me to teach and introduce this lesson to the class. Resources also include the students computers with the same software as well as various internet websites. Finally, I will rely on my fellow staff and IT department as a resource if needed.
What do I generally do first?			Generally I give students a reason for learning the concept. I will put the objective in student friendly language so they can understand the overall purpose. Next, I will try to excite students with a hook into the lesson and its' content.
How do I interact with the standards?			Using the Arizona State 7th Grade Standards, I decide which standards are appropriate for this concept. Then place these standards on the board, in student friendly language and I refer to the standards throughout the lesson. On a side note, my district has curriculum maps that we use throughout the year. I will use these maps to interact with the standards as well.
What are my constraints and how do I respond to them?			My biggest constraint is that I only have each class for about 55 minutes at a time. With this time constraint of teaching middle school, I have a certain time restriction that will force me to really be precise on my planning. Another constraint is that there is only one computer lab available on campus so I will have to schedule when my class will be able to use it, in accordance with the curriculum map.
How do I approach student assessment?			I approach student assessment by creating quick checks for understanding (ticket out the door, think-pair-share, numbered heads together, etc.). I will also have a formative assessment, like a short quiz after the I do, we do, you do time in class. Finally, I will have the summitive assessment as the students overall project. Lastly, I will have students do a quick reflection as to what they learned from the lesson.
How do I approach post-assessment?			With the post-assessment, I will pull some small groups for the students that need additional support. Another idea is to have students teach this concept to another class (if time permits). Finally, I will use the post-assessment for my own self-assessment.
How do I approach self-assessment?			I tend to assess myself possibly too often, sometimes after every class every day. However, I will do my overall self-assessment probably after all the students assessments. I will think of ways that I can improve for the following lesson and again how I can reteach this concept next time.
What are areas I would like to learn more about and/or become better at?			Areas that I wold like to become better at and learn more about are student engagement and classroom management. I would also like to learn more about incorporating more ideas of digital storytelling in my classroom.
What final advice would I give about my approach to instructional design?			The final advice that I would give about instructional design is that you should always be able to provide a purpose and end result for learning and your students should always be able to show what they have learned.